A beverage preparation machine and a capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a capsule that is suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines having an opening apparatus and comprising a receptacle that has an orifice enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material therein and at least one side surface that surrounds the orifice.

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine and a capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines and wherein the beverage raw material is stored.

In beverage preparation machines, the use of the single use capsule wherein the beverage raw material is stored is known. During the preparation of the beverage, for example Turkish coffee, by mixing the raw material by water, the raw material stored in the capsule has to be delivered to the brewing chamber or the cup. In the state of the art, beverage preparation machines are known, providing that some portion of the folio covering the capsule is torn/cut and as the folio opens like a lid, the beverage raw material in the capsule is poured or emptied by turning the capsule upside down. One of the problems encountered in the capsules suitable to be used in this type of machines is that the beverage raw material cannot be discharged completely from the capsule. The powder beverage raw material such as Turkish coffee having thin particles remains inside the capsule or on the folio due to reasons like the folio not opening entirely or folding.

In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2011007266, a beverage preparation machine and a capsule comprising the blades that cut the folio are disclosed.

In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2011154866, a capsule is disclosed which is turned upside down by the arm on the beverage preparation machine pushing thereon, thus pouring the contents therein.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines, providing that the beverage raw material therein is enabled to be poured properly and a beverage preparation machine wherein the said capsule is used.

The capsule realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the claims, comprises a skirt, at least some portion of which is seated on the side surface of the receptacle wherein the beverage raw material is stored such that almost no gap remains therebetween, the skirt surrounding the side surface, whereto the cover covering the orifice of the receptacle is attached, and further an opening that is arranged on the beverage preparation machine between the side surface of the receptacle and the skirt, wherein the opening apparatus that provides the opening of the cover by cutting is inserted. The capsule of the present invention is placed in the beverage preparation machine such that the receptacle orifice faces downward. The opening that remains between the skirt and the side surface of the receptacle is aligned with the opening apparatus of the beverage preparation machine and the opening apparatus enables the cover to be partially cut along the orifice of the receptacle. The opening apparatus cuts the cover and enters the opening between the skirt and the side surface of the receptacle. The opening apparatus enters the opening and gathers the uncut portion of the cover into the opening. The beverage raw material inside the receptacle enables the cover to open like a lid around the uncut side of the cover with the effect of the weight. By means of the skirt, cutting means are not required on the capsule for opening the cover and thus user injuries are avoided when the capsule is thrown away after being used.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the level of the upper side of the side surface that surrounds the orifice of the receptacle is higher than the upper side of the skirt. By means this embodiment, when the receptacle is closed by the cover, the cover attached to the skirt is enabled to be always kept stretched by the sides of the receptacle. Thus, when the capsule is shaken or turned upside down, the beverage raw material is prevented from going through the opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt partially surrounds the side surface of the receptacle. By means of this embodiment, while an opening is formed that the opening apparatus may enter for cutting the cover, the volume of the capsule is kept as small as possible.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt longitudinally surrounds the side surface of the receptacle. As the skirt longitudinally surrounds the side surface, the opening apparatus providing the opening of the capsule confines the cover in the opening. Thus, by means of the skirt longitudinally surrounding the side surface, the cover is not required to open like a lid and the cover is pulled away on the uncut portion thereof along the side surface and enters the opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt is produced as a single piece together with the receptacle. By means of this embodiment, cost advantage is provided by decreasing the mold cost used in the production of the capsule.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt is produced separately from the receptacle and joined to the side surface of the receptacle by plastic welding method. In this embodiment, the molds used in the production of the receptacle are used and the skirt is joined to the receptacle afterwards.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lower sides of the skirt are connected to the upper sides of a housing wherein the receptacle is seated. In this embodiment, the lower sides of the skirt are connected to the housing surrounding the receptacle and the skirt is enabled to be supported more securely.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule furthermore comprises at least one recess and protrusion disposed oppositely on the receptacle and the housing, such that the housing is prevented from dislodging from the receptacle by being inserted into one another when the receptacle is seated into the housing. Thus, the receptacle is seated into the housing tightly.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule comprises a protector that is connected to the side surface of the receptacle with a weak connection, that is folded on the connected side and that partially covers the opening. By providing the covering of the opening with the protector, the beverage raw material is prevented from entering the opening. When the opening apparatus is seated into the opening, the protector is folded into the opening and enables the opening to be opened. The protector furthermore surrounds the opening surface intermittently so that the opening apparatus can enter the opening more easily.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a frame is disposed at the end of the skirt, whereon the cover is fixed by methods like adhesion etc. and that extends to the side surface of the receptacle almost in vertical direction. The cover, which is preferably in folio form, is attached on the frame. The frame also helps the receptacle not to be crushed and bent when force is exerted on the capsule by the beverage preparation machine.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle is placed into a casing that surrounds the skirt and enables the beverage raw material inside the receptacle to be kept fresh for a longer period of time. The casing is produced from plastic material that is preferably thermally formed in an airtight manner.

In the beverage preparation machine of the present invention, an opening apparatus is provided that can enter the gap of the above mentioned capsule and enabling some portion of the cover to be cut/torn away.

By means of the skirt of the present invention, the required cutters are not required to be inside the capsule in order to open the preferably folio form cover and the design of the capsule becomes simpler. Thus, the capsule production costs are decreased and capsules with smaller volumes can be produced since cutting element inside the receptacle is not required. Moreover, the beverage raw material is not spilled on the opening apparatus since the opening apparatus providing the opening of the capsule opens the cover without entering the receptacle but the opening. Consequently, the beverage preparation machine stays clean in the process of emptying the capsule and usage facility is provided for the user.

The capsule realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

FIG. 1—is the perspective view of a capsule.

FIG. 2—is the perspective view of a capsule when the cover is open.

FIG. 2—is the schematic view of the receptacle and the skirt related to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3—is the schematic view of the receptacle and the skirt related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4—is the schematic view of the capsule related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5—is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt and the protector related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6—is the schematic view of the receptacle, the skirt and the protector related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7—is the schematic view of the receptacle, the skirt and the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8—is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt and the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9—is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt and the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10—is the perspective view of the receptacle, the skirt and the housing related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11—is the exploded view of the capsule related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12—is the exploded view of the capsule related to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13—is the schematic view of the opening apparatus and the capsule when the capsule is seated on the opening apparatus relating to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

-   1. Capsule -   2. Receptacle -   3. Orifice -   4. Side surface -   5. Skirt -   6. Cover -   7. Opening -   8. Recess -   9. Protrusion -   10. Protector -   11. Frame -   12. Casing -   13. Housing

A. Opening Apparatus

The capsule (1) is suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines and comprises a receptacle (2) that has an orifice (3) enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material therein and at least one side surface (4) that surrounds the orifice (3).

The capsule (1) of the present invention is suitable to be used in the beverage preparation machine having an opening apparatus (A), and comprises a skirt (5) that surrounds the side surface (4) all around so that at least some portion thereof is seated on the side surface (4) almost without any gaps, a cover (6) attached on the skirt (5) so as to cover the orifice (3), and an opening (7) that remains between the side surface (4) and the skirt (5) and that enables the cover (6) to separate from the receptacle (2) by being seated on at least some portion of the opening apparatus (A). The skirt (5) is preferably seated on the side surface (4) from its lower side almost without any gaps and widens towards its upper side such that the opening (7) is formed between the side surface (4) and the skirt (5), thereby surrounding the side surface (4) that surrounds the orifice (3). Thus, when the receptacle (2) is viewed from above, the side surface (4) and the skirt (5) form a double walled structure. The cover (6) provides the closing of the receptacle (2) by being attached on the skirt (5) (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

The capsule (1) is preferably placed into the beverage preparation machine such that the opening (7) faces downward and the opening apparatus (A) is aligned with the opening (7). By means of an actuation mechanism (not shown) of the beverage preparation machine, the opening apparatus (A) and the capsule (1) are moved close to each other and the opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7) by cutting/tearing some portion of the cover (6). In this case, the skirt (5) and the side surface (4) help the opening apparatus (A) to cut the cover (6) effectively by supporting the cover (6) from both sides. Due to the capsule (1) standing upside down, the beverage raw material, with its weight being on the cover (6), enables the cover (6) to open like a lid by folding over the uncut portion of the cover (6) by the gravity effect. Thus, almost all the beverage raw material in the receptacle (2) is enabled to be poured into the brewing chamber or the cup. By means of the skirt (5) and the opening (7) of the present invention, the opening apparatus (A) is not required to enter the receptacle (2). As the opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7), the cover (6) is cut such that the side surface (4) surrounding the orifice (3) remains inside and thus the beverage raw material is not spilled on the opening apparatus (A). When the cover (6) is partially cut along the opening (7), the side surface (4) supports the cover (6), thereby prevents the cover (6) from folding over itself and almost all the beverage raw material inside the receptacle (2) is enabled to be poured. Furthermore, by means of the skirt (5), the opening apparatus (A) providing the cutting/tearing of the cover (6) is not required to be on the capsule (1) and improvement in capsule (1) costs is provided.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the upper side of the skirt (5) is lower than level of the orifice (3). In other words, preferably the upper side of the skirt (5) is at a lower level than the level of the side surface (4) sides that surround the orifice (3) in the vertical plane. Thus, the cover (6) attached to the skirt (5) are stretched by the sides of the side surface (4) and the beverage raw material is prevented from spilling into the opening (7) during the movement of the capsule (1) such as carrying (FIG. 4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt (5) surrounds at least some portion of the side surface (4) in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the skirt (5) surrounds the side surface (4) so as to form a gap that enables the cover (6) to be cut and thus cost advantage is provided (FIG. 3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt (5) longitudinally surrounds the side surface (4). In this embodiment, the skirt (5) is connected to the receptacle (2) preferably from the base and is prevented from breaking and bending when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine and the actuation mechanism applies force on the capsule (1) from above (FIG. 2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt (5) is connected to the side surface (4). For example, the receptacle (2) and the skirt (5) produced separately are connected to each other by vibration welding or similar connection methods.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt (5) and the side surface (4) are produced in an integrated manner. By means of this embodiment, the number of parts used is decreased by producing the receptacle (2) and the skirt (5) together and quality perception of the consumer is improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule (1) comprises a housing (13) wherein the receptacle (2) is seated and the upper side of which is connected to the skirt (5). The receptacle (2) is seated into the housing (13) and the skirt (5) is connected to the housing (13) from its lower side. When the opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7) by cutting the cover (6), the housing (13) tightly supports the skirt (5) from the lower side. The housing (13) and the skirt (5) are produced as a single piece and grasp the base of the receptacle (2), enabling the opening apparatus (A) to open the capsule (1) without problems by increasing the strength of the skirt (5) (FIG. 7, FIG. 11).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (2) is seated into the housing (13) snap fittingly. In this embodiment, the housing (13) tightly surrounding the receptacle (2) increases the strength of the skirt (5) and the receptacle (2) is prevented from bending/folding when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine and opened by the opening apparatus (A).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule (1) comprises a recess (8) that is arranged on the receptacle (2) or the housing (13) and a protrusion (9) that is disposed on the receptacle (2) or the housing (13) correspondingly and that is seated into the recess (8) by aligning with the recess (8) when the receptacle (2) is seated into the housing (13), the recess (8) and the protrusion (9) preventing the housing (13) and the receptacle (2) from being separated (FIG. 9, FIG. 10).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule (1) comprises a protector (10) that extends from the side surface (4) outwards almost in a direction perpendicular to the side surface (4) so as to remain under the cover (6) and that prevents the beverage raw material from entering the opening (7). In other words, the protector (10) prevents the beverage raw material in the receptacle (2) from entering the opening (7) by partially closing the opening (7). The protector (10) is preferably connected to the side surface (4) in an easily foldable manner. While the capsule (1) is carried, the beverage raw material is prevented from entering the opening (7) from the sides of the receptacle (2) by the protector (10). When the capsule (1) is to be placed into the beverage preparation machine and opened, the protector (10) is folded towards the interior of the opening (7) thanks to the foldable connection when the opening apparatus (A) contacts the protector (10) in order to enter the opening (7) (FIG. 5).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the protector (10) is in the form of a plate having an intermittent configuration with the separate portions being spaced apart and surrounds the side surface (4). Thus, when the opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7), the protector (10) easily folds into the opening (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule (1) comprises a frame (11) that is disposed on the upper side of the skirt (5), that extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the skirt (5) and whereon the cover (6) is attached. The frame (11) also carries the weight of the capsule (1) when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine. The frame (11) enables the cover (6) to be airtightly adhered on the receptacle (2) and at the same time prevents the receptacle (2) from being crushed/bent when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine (FIG. 8).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the capsule (1) comprises a casing (12) wherein the receptacle (2) is seated so as to surround the receptacle (2) and the skirt (5), and that enables the beverage raw material to stay fresh for a longer period of time. The receptacle (2) and the skirt (5) are preferably produced by plastic injection method due to their configuration. Plastic that is produced by injection method is not entirely airtight and in this case the beverage raw material in the receptacle (2) cannot keep its freshness. By means of the casing (12) that is produced by plastic thermoforming method and has better airtightness in comparison to the receptacle (2), the beverage raw material is enabled to stay fresh for a longer period of time (FIG. 6, FIG. 12).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt (5) extends parallel to the side surface (4). By means of this embodiment, when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine, even if it is not aligned completely, the opening apparatus (A) of the beverage preparation machine easily enters the opening (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the skirt (5) extends in an inclined manner with respect to the side surface (4). By means of this embodiment, the strength of the skirt (5) is increased, thus the skirt (5) is enabled to resist the force exerted by the beverage preparation machine when the capsule (1) is placed into the beverage preparation machine.

The beverage preparation machine of the present invention is suitable for using the above described capsule (1). The beverage preparation machine preferably comprises an opening apparatus (A) that provides the emptying of the beverage raw material in the capsule (1). The opening apparatus (A) enters the opening (7) by cutting the cover (6). The beverage preparation machine is preferably a Turkish coffee machine that can make Turkish coffee wherein the capsules (1) containing Turkish coffee are used.

In the capsule (1) of the present invention, by means of the skirt (5), the beverage raw material contained therein can easily be poured into the brewing chamber in the beverage preparation machine or into a cup without requiring cutting elements with complex structures for opening the cover (6) thereon. When the cover (6) is cut partially along the opening (7), the skirt (5) and the sides of the receptacle (2) support the cover (6) from inside the capsule (1) and help in opening of the cover (6) unproblematically. 

1. A capsule suitable to be used in beverage preparation machines having an opening apparatus and comprising a receptacle that has an orifice enabling loading/unloading of the beverage raw material therein and at least one side surface that surrounds the orifice, characterized by a skirt that surrounds the side surface all around so that at least some portion thereof is seated on the side surface almost without any gaps, a cover attached on the skirt so as to cover the orifice, and an opening that remains between the side surface and the skirt and that enables the cover to separate from the receptacle by being seated on at least some portion of the opening apparatus.
 2. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt, the upper side of which is lower than the level of the orifice.
 3. A capsule as in claim 1 characterized by the skirt that surrounds at least some portion of the side surface.
 4. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that longitudinally surrounds the side surface.
 5. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that is attached to the side surface.
 6. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that is produced in an integrated manner with the side surface.
 7. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a housing wherein the receptacle is seated, and the upper side of which is connected to the skirt.
 8. A capsule as in claim 7, characterized by the receptacle which is snap-fittingly seated into the housing.
 9. A capsule as in claim 7, characterized by a recess that is arranged on the receptacle or the housing and a protrusion that is disposed on the receptacle or the housing correspondingly and that is seated into the recess by aligning with the recess when the receptacle is seated into the housing, the recess and the protrusion preventing the housing and the receptacle from being separated.
 10. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a protector that extends from the side surface outwards almost in a direction perpendicular to the side surface so as to remain under the cover and that prevents the beverage raw material from entering the opening.
 11. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a frame that is disposed on the upper side of the skirt, that extends in a direction almost perpendicular to the skirt and whereon the cover is attached.
 12. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by a casing wherein the receptacle is seated so as to surround the receptacle and the skirt, and that enables the beverage raw material to stay fresh for a longer period of time.
 13. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that extends parallel to the side surface.
 14. A capsule as in claim 1, characterized by the skirt that extends in an inclined manner with respect to the side surface.
 15. A beverage preparation machine that is suitable for using a capsule as in claim 1 characterized by an opening apparatus which enters the opening by cutting the cover. 